Table of Contents

1: Introduction
Definitions and nomenclature; Some historical perspectives; The synthetic polymers industry; General features of polymerization process.
2: Average molecular masses and polydispersity
Definitions and illustrations; Experimental determinations (Viscometry, Gel permeation chromatography GPC & Osmometry)
3: Microscopic features of bulk polymers
General aspects; microcrystallinity and fibre-drawing; amorphous polymers; Glass transition temperatures; Melting temperatures; Measurement of Tg and Tm; Concluding remarks
4: Major techniques for analysis and structure determination
Infrared absorption and Raman spectroscopy; NMR and spectroscopy; Xray scattering (WAXS/WAXD &SAXS); concluding remarks
5: Step-growth polmerization
General features; Linear step-growth systems with two monomers; Some important linear step-growth polymers (Nylon 6,6 PET and Nylon 6); Network polymers; Concluding remarks
6: Addition polymerization via free radicals
General features; Physical forms of synthesis media (Bulk liquid monomers; Homogeneous solutions; Suspensions and dispersions; Emulsions); Initiation process (Thermal decomposition of molecules; Photodecomposition of molecules; Redox reactions); The growth and initiation of chains (basic features, propagation kinetics and emulsion polymerization); The control of chain growth; "Living" radical addition polymerization; Generation of side chains; Concluding remarks
7: Addition polymerization via ionic and coordination mechanisms
General features; Ziegler-Natta and related processes, metallocene catalysts, Phillips processes: General features of ionic polymerization; Cationic polymerization; Anionic polymerization; Coordination polymerization
8: Properties of common polymers in bulk
Crystallinity; Variation of glass transiton temperature; Drawn thermoplastics; Elastomers; Unsaturated polyester resins; Polymer degradation and recycling; Biogradable polymers
9: Some speciality polymers
High temperature polymers; Poly carbonate; Liquid crystal polymers; Ionomers and polymeric solid electrolytes; Special molecular shapes
10: Looking to the future
Polymers blends; Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs); Micro- and nano-structures; Membranes; Microcellular and foamed polymers; Fire-resistant polymers, Concluding remarks.

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Reviews

A feature of the book is the extensive use of figures and tables that include real data. There are also test questions at the end of each chapter. Times Higher Education Supplement, February 2003.